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In this episode of Speaking of Faith from the Diocese of St. Cloud, the leaders from the Catholic Foundation, David Eickhoff and Chris Backes, talk about the Foundation's origins in the 1990s as the Central Endowment Trust Fund and the Living the Promise campaign. Twenty-five years later, they explain the Foundation's mission to strengthen the Church through stewardship, philanthropy, endowment management and annual grants supporting parishes, Catholic schools, faith formation, seminarian education, vocations, and partners like Catholic Charities. The Foundation holds over $35 million in assets and has provided more than $4 million in support to Catholic organizations since 2004. They also preview future conversations on planned giving and how listeners can connect with the Catholic Foundation. For more information or to connect with Chris or David, visit https://www.catholicfoundation.info

Father Jeff Ethen—an Elk River native and diocesan priest—shares how his background in journalism led him from observing need to serving people directly through priesthood, Hispanic ministry and mission work in places like Guatemala and Venezuela. He recounts learning to take imperfect first steps, from celebrating his first Spanish-launguage Mass to navigating cultural differences and unexpected moments, and reflects on how mission work is rooted in relationship rather than "fixing" poverty. Father Ethen also describes his work with Unbound, a lay-led sponsorship program ithat emphasizes direct relationships with families in extreme poverty. He challenges listeners during World Mission Month to live a missionary life locally and globally, starting in their own communities. Learn more about Unbound

In this special Speaking of Faith episode for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Abigail Jorgensen, author of A Catholic Guide to Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Loss, and Olivia Fuchs, a mother who experienced a miscarriage (Hallie) and ectopic pregnancy (Hope) describe their own grief journeys, including anger, isolation, and later healing, and offer ways to honor babies through memorials, pilgrimage, icons, naming and annual remembrance. Jorgensen also shares how her work as a sociology professor and bereavement doula led her to compile Catholic teachings, rituals and practical guidance into her book for loss families, clergy, chaplains and parish staff. The conversation explores grief-informed language, painful medical terminology like "spontaneous abortion" and common questions about remains, baptism and prayer after loss. Purchase Abby's book HERE. Learn more about the Mass in Sauk Centre on October 13, 2026 HERE.

In this episode of the Diocese of St. Cloud podcast Speaking of Faith, Amber interviews small business owner and father Tom Bengtson about his memoir, Unity Map: Cartography of a Father's Homework. Tom reflects on 37 years of marriage to Susan, adopting four children through trips to Colombia and how life often requires "going to point C" to reach point B. He recounts co-founding Chesterton Academy with Dale Ahlquist, later separating over vision and eventually partnering with Matt Birk to start Unity Catholic High School with a broader Catholic liberal arts approach. Tom also shares his family's struggle as their youngest, Matthew, dealt with adoption-related trauma and spent 13 months in residential treatment, shaping Tom's understanding of humility, listening, gratitude and trusting God's will. He emphasizes Catholic education, joy in relationship with Jesus and evangelization through long-term relationships. For more information about Tom, visit: https://tombengtson.com For more information about Unity Catholic High School, visit: https://unitycatholicmn.org For more information about Chesteron Academy, visit: https://chestertonacademy.org For more information about Change Academy at Lake of the Ozarks, visit: https://www.caloprograms.com

In this episode, Janelle Van Erp, Liz Hamack and Lexi Torres share about TEC (Together Encountering Christ), a three-day, intergenerational Catholic retreat for ages 16+ in Central Minnesota focused on encountering Christ through talks, sharing, prayer, Mass and the sacraments, then "going forth" in discipleship. They describe TEC as transformative, welcoming, holy and rooted in authentic love. For more information, visit www.cmtec.org.

Father Scott Pogatchnik discusses his upcoming pilgrimage to St. Louis for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen by reflecting on Sheen's influence as a pioneering Catholic radio and TV evangelist and brilliant intellectual. He shares how Sheen's humility was shaped by early assignments, how his daily holy hour fueled his ministry and why saints should be seen as teammates who encourage believers toward holiness. Father Pogacnik explains the Church's process from servant of God to beatification and then canonization, including the medically verified miracle involving an infant with no heartbeat for 61 minutes. He also highlights Sheen's mission work, the mission rosary, spiritual adoption and the call to generosity and prayer.

In this episode of the Diocese of St. Cloud's Speaking of Faith, Brian Gibson, radio host, speaker and longtime leader of Pro-Life Action Ministries, shares about his Catholic reversion, family life and decades of pro-life work. Gibson explains the ministry's daily efforts organizing prayer presence and training volunteers for sidewalk counseling outside abortion facilities. Through the work, he's encountered both compassionate conversations and hostility, and stresses reliance on prayer and the Holy Spirit to sustain the ministry. Gibson will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming K-YES benefit on Friday, October 23.

Janice Wuebkers, Kimberly Hansen and Kelli Kleinschnitz speak about the local Healing the Whole Person retreat initiative inspired by Dr. Bob Schuchts' and Sister Miriam Heidland's work with the John Paul II Healing Center. They explain the retreat's focus on identity in Christ, recognizing wounds and lies, inviting the Holy Spirit into memories and suffering and grounding healing in the sacraments, forgiveness and supportive relationships. The team describes the impact of smaller local retreats and the desire to build a "culture of healing," especially amid diocesan changes. They share upcoming retreat dates and ways to connect via www.healingstcloud.org.

Catherine DiNuzzo, a licensed professional counselor, author and founder of Sacred Heart Mental Wellness, encourages shifting the conversation from "mental health" to proactive "mental wellness," integrating evidence-based strategies with a Catholic perspective rather than separating counseling from faith. She also explains the biology of anxiety as a fight/flight/freeze response and how understanding the brain helps people stop self-bullying and break the "hamster wheel" of being anxious about their anxiety. The discussion highlights bringing the Lord into anxious moments, advocating self-care and boundaries modeled on Jesus in Scripture and encouraging parishes to talk about mental wellness through training. For additional information about Catherine DiNuzzo and Sacred Heart Mental Wellness visit https://www.sacredheartmentalwellness.com. To purchase Catherine's book, 'The Catholic Guide Through Anxiety,' visit her website above or you can purchase the book on Amazon. To explore the Diocese of Saint Cloud Mental Health Ministry page, visit https://stcdio.org/mental-health-ministry/

This episode of the Diocese of St. Cloud's Speaking of Faith previews the two-day Singing Praise Wisely Workshop at St. John's University (Sept. 25–26), focused on storytelling, sacred song, the wisdom of the saints and music's role in prayer and worship. Dr. Katharine Harmon, pastoral liturgist and director with St. John's Obsculta Preaching Initiative, and acclaimed composer Steven C. Warner, founder of the Notre Dame Folk Choir, share their vocational journeys into liturgy and explain why singing is embodied, communal and healing, helping memory and prayer. They discuss what distinguishes liturgical music ministry and what participants can expect at the workshop including prayer experiences, reflection, stories behind songs and insights into composing from saint texts and gospel narratives. The free event is open to the public, with registration requested. Register here. Learn more about Katharine Harmon or Steven C. Warner.

In this episode of Speaking of Faith, Kristi Bivens, Director of Lay Leadership Formation, and Tammy Huss, Director of Faith Formation for the Come to the Water ACC, share about the Emmaus Institute for Ministerial Formation, a diocesan four-year program developed to strengthen laypeople in intellectual, human, spiritual and pastoral formation. Meeting one weekend a month (Sept–May), with English and Spanish tracks, participants learn through courses including scripture, sacraments, morality, evangelization, liturgy, listening and conflict resolution. Tammy shares how the program strengthened her faith, confidence and ability to minister, and both describe graduates creating new parish ministries and leadership. They note opportunities to sit in on a class and encourage all to participate in the upcoming season. Learn more on the diocesan website: Emmaus Institute for Ministerial Formation Contact Kristi Bivens at [email protected]

In this episode of the Diocese of St. Cloud's Speaking of Faith, Amber interviews Patty Weishaar, recipient of the Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary Ezekiel Prophet of Hope Award, honoring alumni who embody collaborative ministry and hope. Patty reflects on nearly 36 years at Saint John's, beginning as a graduate student and later becoming a cornerstone of student services who welcomes and supports students on campus and remotely. She shares how Benedictine community rhythms, mentors, colleagues and generations of students have shaped her vocation and why creating a safe, home-like space helps people "unfurl their wings." Patty describes hope as a lifelong gift to be used for good, offers advice about surrendering to being "chosen" and shares her desire to leave a legacy of courage, gratitude and hospitality, specifially through the Patricia Weishaar Scholarship which helps to remove financial barriers for SOT students. To learn more about the Ezekiel: Prophet of Hope Award, visit https://www.csbsju.edu/sot/our-community/our-alumnae-i/alumni-awards/ezekiel-prophet-of-hope-award/ To learn more about the Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary, visit: https://www.csbsju.edu/sot/ To contribute to the Patricia Weishaar Scholarship, visit: https://www.csbsju.edu/sot/about/giving/the-impact/scholarships/ Gifts to the SOT are currently (through October 2027) matched 2:1. Your gift of $5 becomes $15!

The Very Reverend Father Matthew Crane to explains the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX): its founding in 1970 to form priests, growing conflicts with Vatican II teachings, suppression in 1975 and subsequent disobedience culminating in unauthorized episcopal consecrations in 1988 and again on July 1, 2026. He clarifies that SSPX priests are validly ordained and that Pope Francis granted provisions for valid confessions and marriages under certain conditions which Pope Leo XIV upheld until recent ordinations which resulted in excommunication. Father Crane outlines how excommunication applies to the bishops involved and the SSPX clergy who formally adhere to the schism, while lay attendees require individual discernment. He also notes the location of SSPX chapels in the diocese and urges Catholics to pursue unity of the Church through charity, prayer and attention to the Church's liturgical prayers for unity.

In this episode Lexi Torres, a second-year MDiv student at Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary, and Liz Hamak, volunteer coordinator at Catholic Charities, share about attending the Bread for the World Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. They describe learning hunger-related policies, praying and worshiping with Christians from many denominations and meeting with congressional staffers to advocate for issues like food access and WIC virtual services. They share ways all Catholics can participate in advocacy and emphasize the power of sharing real stories from rural Minnesota. Lexi and Liz also reflect on connecting advocacy to faith, Catholic social teaching's "charity and justice," challenging biases about who experiences hunger and taking simple local steps like education and volunteering while trusting the Holy Spirit to guide you. To learn more about Bread for the World, visit: https://www.bread.org To learn more about the Bread for the World Advocacy Summit, visit: https://www.bread.org/advocacy-summit-2026/ To learn more about Catholic Charities, visit: https://www.ccstcloud.org To learn more about the social concers office at the Diocese of St. Cloud, visit: https://stcdio.org/social-concerns/

On the Diocese of St. Cloud's Speaking of Faith podcast, we learn about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) from Reyne Alishouse, parishioner at St. Lawrence in Duelm, former catholic school teacher and current homeschool mom and a CGS Level 1 catechist. CGS is a Catholic, Montessori-style, hands-on faith formation held in an "atrium." Reyne explains how the child-centered, quiet space uses Scripture, prayerful "work" and carefully designed materials to help children — ages 3–12 across three levels — encounter Jesus as the Good Shepherd, learn the Mass, parables, and salvation history and develop calmness and deep understanding. With the host, Amber, Reyne discusses parents' growing interest, the need for trained catechists, and an upcoming Level 1 training at St. Mary's Cathedral in St. Cloud, August 10–15. You can find more information about CGS at their national website and more about the upcoming trainings at The Wonderings of Sheep in the Atrium.